http://mmajunkie.comVeteran UFC fighter Ed Herman, who entered the UFC after emerging as the middleweight runner-up on “The Ultimate Fighter 3,” likely saved his UFC career with a win over David Loiseau at Saturday’s UFC 97 event.

Herman topped Loiseau, who returned to the UFC for the first time in two-and-a-half years, with a dominant unanimous-decision victory.

According to UFC President Dana White, Herman would have likely been released from the organization with a loss.

Herman (15-7 MMA, 4-4 UFC) had suffered losses in his previous two fights to Demian Maia (triangle choke) and Alan Belcher (split decision). But he rebounded in his preliminary-card bout at UFC 97.

“Obviously, if he would have lost, he probably would have been on his way out,” White said. “He probably would have been on the smaller shows and trying to work his way back.”

However, that decision would been strictly business. Because when it comes to the Team Quest fighter, White is a fan.

“I love Ed Herman,” White said. “That’s another kid I really like. He’s a tough, gritty kid. He goes out to fight and likes to win. I really, personally like that kid.”

Herman avoided Loiseau’s dangerous standup game, continually took the fight to the ground, and dominated the action once there. He was close to ending the bout on multiple occasions but ultimately settled for the unanimous decision via scores of 30-26, 30-27, 30-27 on the judges’ scorecards.

As for Loiseau (18-9 MMA, 4-4 UFC), though, White wouldn’t guarantee that the popular Canadian fighter would get another fight with the organization.

Loiseau, a former No. 1 middleweight contender, was dropped from the organization in 2006 after suffering back-to-back losses. However, he went 4-2 with a handful of smaller organizations, including EliteXC, to earn his way back.

Will this latest loss earn the fighter another set of walking papers?

“I don’t know; I’ll have to ask (UFC matchmaker) Joe Silva about that,” White said. “David Loiseau’s got some wins, got himself back in the UFC. I don’t know, but I like him, and he’s a really nice guy.”

As the UFC 189 tour made its last stop in Dublin, featherweight champ Jose Aldo was met with a torrent of abuse from the Irish fans. It might have been unpleasant, but it might also have been just what he needed.